Lee Priming Tools: Ugh

The_Vigilante · June 19, 2008, 08:52 PM

I am back to using the Lee handheld Auto Prime after battling with the Auto Prime 2, Lee Safety Prime, and the Lee Ram Prime Priming Unit for Single Stage Press. Having to handle each individual primer doesn't appeal to me as being very efficient. The Auto Prime 2 and Safety Prime are more trouble than they are worth-primers always getting jammed in the shellholder are not feeding into the shell holder. I am looking for a replacement that will hopefully be better than the Lee primer tools listed above. I have heard good things about the RCBS Bench Priming Tool and the reviews are good on Midway. Are any of you using this one? Any other suggestions? Thanks

BigJakeJ1s · June 19, 2008, 10:14 PM

I started out with the Lee autoprime handheld primer, and it works well, except that because the lever is thumb actuated, after a hundred or two rounds, my thumb gets numb.

I switched to the RCBS Universal hand primer (the one with universal shell holder and square tray). The larger, square tray is much easier to load from factory primer packages. It also feeds from the corner, which seems to work better than the side of a round tray. The tray also slips out of the handle and lays flat on the bench for loading, and it has a sliding gate to close off the corner chute. And best of all, because it uses the whole hand to squeeze the handle, it is less tiring to use than the Lee.

Andy

Rampant_Colt · June 20, 2008, 11:29 AM

I can sit down and prime 500-600 cases in an hour or so with the Auto-Prime without ever touching a single primer or a single jam--sounds like the OP is doing something incorrect.

Lee makes good stuff

WESHOOT2 · June 20, 2008, 12:02 PM

But I broke both well-lubed units during the same priming session (see, 'cause I was making thousands...).

So I bought one RCBS hand-prime unit (the 'older' one, that requires shellholders) and it seemed decent, so I bought another.

They both work great.
Still.

I own two broken LEE presses, too. And a Co-Ax and a Crusher II.
I break my Dillon regularly, but they fix it free.

I have a few indispensible LEE tools, and many LEE handgun die-sets, but I NEVER recommend their progressive presses, pot-metal presses, or any of their scales and powder measures.
Nor their hand-prime units.

TexasSeaRay · June 20, 2008, 12:05 PM

Agree about the ram prime tool. I have one, but only use it for whenever the DILLON PRIMING SYSTEM ON THE 550B would screw up and a shell needed to be primed individually.

As far as the Lee Auto Prime handtool, I use it so that my fingers are doing the squeezing rather than just my thumb. Don't know anything about the Safety Prime setups--never have tried one.

Priming seems to be the most nebulous part of reloading for most folks--myself included. I've used the RCBS hand-priming tool and found it to be no more advantageous than the Lee. My dad has the RCBS bench priming tool and it works well.

If I can ever wear out or break my Lee hand-primer (I've had it for over 20 years now), I'll ship it to a landfill in Alaska and probably pick up an RCBS bench priming tool. But I'll always have a Lee hand-priming tool around.

Jeff

WESHOOT2 · June 20, 2008, 12:18 PM

www.uspsa.org

A33102

It is NEVER a 'brand' thing; it is a "quality tools" thing.

Rampant_Colt · June 20, 2008, 05:12 PM

The OP mentioned something about handling the primers individually--definitely sounds like he's doing something wrong

ORLYMREVERYTHINGISTOUGHERINALASKA

benzuncle · June 20, 2008, 06:21 PM

Back in 1971 I knew 2 females that bought Chevy Vegas and put 150,000 miles on'em with only routine maintenance. I bought one at the same time. I'm glad I bought the wagon; I kept my 10-speed Schwinn in it for when it broke down, which was monthly. When my warranty expired I got shed of it.

My Lee equipment has worked just fine other than a few screw-ups that were operator related. I've found that the biggest problem with Lee is their instructions. But hell, they aren't alone in that category. The Safety Prime: there's only two camps concerning it - You like it or Hate it. Mine works just fine and I like the way the Classic Turret Press catches the spent primers. Some of the other brands use the floor to catch'em.

CrustyFN · June 20, 2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

My Lee equipment has worked just fine other than a few screw-ups that were operator related. I've found that the biggest problem with Lee is their instructions. But hell, they aren't alone in that category. The Safety Prime: there's only two camps concerning it - You like it or Hate it. Mine works just fine and I like the way the Classic Turret Press catches the spent primers. Some of the other brands use the floor to catch'em.

But just think you cauld have spent more and had a nice press like this.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...dillon+problem
No wait maybe this is it.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...ghlight=dillon
OK try this one.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...ghlight=dillon
or could it be this one.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...ghlight=dillon
WA I did a search like you suggested and came up with this.

CrustyIguessI'llhavetochecksomeoftheotherforumsFN

Wildalaska · June 20, 2008, 08:45 PM

Now find me RCBS problems

Or even better...redding

WildbustedpinsAlaska ™

wild willy · June 20, 2008, 09:24 PM

The worst press I ever used for spent primers on the floor is a lee turrent not the classic

Thirties · June 21, 2008, 01:17 PM

I love this tool: Hornady Hand Priming Tool

http://www.grafs.com/product/188508

.

38 Super Auto · June 21, 2008, 03:14 PM

It looks like Crusty hasn't consumed enuf of the blue kool-aid

I had some issues with my 500B priming system after about 15 years of use. I called Dillon and they cheerfully sent me a complete new priming system with new large and small primer bars. I had to send in my old priming tower.

I solved any remaining issues by polishing the alloy primer bars and steel insert with some 600 grit. I use a little mica regularly to keep things from getting sticky.

One thing about the 500B priming system - due to proximity of primer bar to the resizing station, debris tends to build up around the primer bar. If you don't keep it clean, the primer bar freezes up. I take the primer tower down about every 800-100 rounds to clean it thoroughly.

Other than that, I am cruising down the blue highway on cruise control.

CrustyFN · June 21, 2008, 10:15 PM

38 Super Auto I actually think Dillon makes a great press and if I needed to go progressive it would be between Dillon and Hornady. Like I said I loaded on a friends 550 and thought it was great. I just get a kick out of playing with the people that have probably never used a classic turret in their life but happen to think they know everything about it. They like to make it sound like Lee is garbage and a Dillon press has never had a problem. It's all good.

Rusty

Threefeathers · June 21, 2008, 11:18 PM

I have primered thousands of rounds with the Lee Auto Prime, I keep an extra in the box in case I need it. I bought the extra in 1996. I have one set for rifle size primers one for pistol size primers, both were purchased the same time as the spare. I'll yell when I need to change them.

Gbro · June 22, 2008, 02:20 AM

Quote:

The OP mentioned something about handling the primers individually--definitely sounds like he's doing something wrong

Not at all.
The hand held priming tool didn't come with a tray when it 1st came out. I have one and I can put 3 primers in it. It works for me.
I don't see any of the old ones on Lees web sight anymore.

fbrown333@suddenlink · June 22, 2008, 05:07 AM

I have one of the Lee hand primers and have never had a problem with it I like it due to the fact that I can feel the primer seat better than with the press. I had my press lever break on my lee press but they replaced it for free. I have had nothing but good luck with them and yes I have other presses, but still use my Lee more.

gun44 · June 22, 2008, 07:10 AM

in 1974, and one of the first things I purchased was a lee priming tool. Worked great! A couple of weeks later I purchased another so I would not have to change out the small, or large rams. I still have both, and they both still work great, and I have primed thousands of cases with both! I may get the bench mounted RCBS tool and try it, as I am beginning to have some trouble with arthritis in my hands, and can't prime a large amount of cases at one session any more.

629 shooter · June 22, 2008, 07:16 AM

Quote:

If I can ever wear out or break my Lee hand-primer (I've had it for over 20 years now), I'll ship it to a landfill in Alaska

I've had Lee hand held primer close to the same time frame too without any issues. Although if mine ever bites the dust I'll let it rest in an Indiana landfill! All the Lee equipment I own has served me well.

snuffy · June 22, 2008, 12:50 PM

I can't understand why some have to bash the lee equipment. If your tastes are more for the "fillet mignon" of loaders, then say so, let us commoners with our hamburger tastes enjoy our less expensive lee equipment.

I own a large assortment of loaders from different manufactures. A lot of it, like 50% is lee. Why, because it just plain works! If it weren't for lee's prices, the big three would be charging so much, most couldn't afford the start-up costs.

Try to find a Lyman, RCBS, dillon, forster, redding, or Hornady collet type neck sizer! You can't, they don't make one. Same goes for the FCD,(Final Crimp Die). Lee was the first to come out with a hand held primer. It had screw in shell holders and loaded one primer at a time. I'll find one of mine and take a picture, should add a little history to this forum.

My first lee auto prime finally broke after many thousands of uses. The metal around the top cracked from the pressure of seating primers. The toggle was also worn to the point that the primer wasn't being seated to the bottom of the pocket. I didn't whine to lee for a replacement, I jut ordered two more so I wouldn't have to switch from large to small rams. I certainly got my money's worth out of it!

If lee's auto prime is such a bad idea, then why has RCBS and Hornady copied it? And why do other precision hand held primer systems use the lee auto prime shell holders?!

Sevens · June 23, 2008, 09:56 AM

I'll add my experiences with the Lee priming:

20 years out of the Safety Prime 2-- this is the press mounted, round tray feeding, ram priming system. You can put a hundred or 150 primers in the round tray, shake it to get them all right side up, use a regular old shellholder (no priming specific shellholder) and you get a primed case with each pull of the press handle.

I noticed after 18 years that while my large sized primers still fed perfectly and primed well, I would jam up occasionally with the small sized primers. I attributed this to the plastic gravity feed handler from the tray to the die and I searched the retailers for a replacement plastic piece. I couldn't find anyone selling one (I'm sure Lee would sell me one if I asked, but I didn't try) and finding the ENTIRE Lee Safety Prime 2 package for only $15, I simply ordered another complete kit.

From that complete kit I use only the small sized primer feed and all the other parts wait in the event I ever need to use them.

That's 18 years without a hiccup for a priming system that today sells for $15 from Midway. That's about the price of a set of shellholders only that fit the RCBC hand priming tool. (and not much more than a set of shellholders to fit the Lee hand priming system)

And I love the precise feel of priming at the press on the up-stroke of the lever.

azredhawk44 · June 23, 2008, 01:14 PM

I've broken the thumb lever on my Lee priming tool 3 times in the last 8 years. Each one seems to last about 2500 rounds or so.

I tried the RCBS hand priming tool and hated it. Way too slow to change from small to large primers, rickety creaky feel to it.

Hornady one looks interesting though. I may have to try it.

I just got myself a Lee AutoPrime II, that mounts in my single stage RockChucker. Seems okay, but I don't like that I have to use a toothpick or other small stick to push the last couple primers into place on any given batch.

AZRedhawkIbrokemyRCBSpressinhalfonce44

Sidetracked · June 23, 2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

I tried the RCBS hand priming tool and hated it. Way too slow to change from small to large primers, rickety creaky feel to it.

...Yep

I used a borrowed Lee Auto Prime for 15+ years. It really kills your thumb after a few hundred rounds, but holds up alright. (Must have gotten a good one..)

The RCBS Hand Priming Tool... P.O.S... It looks and feels like a 4th grader engineered it. It works... but feels like it's gonna fall apart every time I use it; kind of like the General Motors and other Lee products I have owned. Next time I see an Auto Prime on sale... the RCBS is getting traded away, or stored with the spare tools.

38 Super Auto · June 23, 2008, 08:28 PM

I agree Crusty,

Lee, Dillon, Hornady, RCBS, Lyman and others all have their price/performance point. I still use my 22 year old Lee auto prime, Rock Chucker, Ideal Measure, and reloading die from six different companies. I enjoy the time on my 550B and Star sizer. I gotta say, I really enjoy the Dillon new dimension dies, but I only get them when I can find em cheap and used.

I think performance and customer service are keys for me.

BigJakeJ1s · June 23, 2008, 10:23 PM

Sevens, I think that's the Auto Prime II you've been using for years. The new safety prime is the one that works with the tray held vertical, and it places a primer on the ram's priming arm for you.

Changing over from small to large primers is the only thing I didn't like about the new RCBS Universal job (square tray). So I bought a second one to leave one set up for each. At least both the ones I have feel very solid and well put together.

Andy

June 19, 2008, 08:52 PM	#1
The_Vigilante Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2008 Location: Far West Texas Posts: 200	Lee Priming Tools: Ugh I am back to using the Lee handheld Auto Prime after battling with the Auto Prime 2, Lee Safety Prime, and the Lee Ram Prime Priming Unit for Single Stage Press. Having to handle each individual primer doesn't appeal to me as being very efficient. The Auto Prime 2 and Safety Prime are more trouble than they are worth-primers always getting jammed in the shellholder are not feeding into the shell holder. I am looking for a replacement that will hopefully be better than the Lee primer tools listed above. I have heard good things about the RCBS Bench Priming Tool and the reviews are good on Midway. Are any of you using this one? Any other suggestions? Thanks

June 20, 2008, 11:29 AM	#3
Rampant_Colt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,478	I can sit down and prime 500-600 cases in an hour or so with the Auto-Prime without ever touching a single primer or a single jam--sounds like the OP is doing something incorrect. Lee makes good stuff Last edited by Johnny Guest; June 26, 2008 at 09:07 PM. Reason: Reply referenced a deleted post

June 20, 2008, 12:02 PM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	I owned two LEE hand-prime units But I broke both well-lubed units during the same priming session (see, 'cause I was making thousands...). So I bought one RCBS hand-prime unit (the 'older' one, that requires shellholders) and it seemed decent, so I bought another. They both work great. Still. I own two broken LEE presses, too. And a Co-Ax and a Crusher II. I break my Dillon regularly, but they fix it free. I have a few indispensible LEE tools, and many LEE handgun die-sets, but I NEVER recommend their progressive presses, pot-metal presses, or any of their scales and powder measures. Nor their hand-prime units.

June 20, 2008, 12:05 PM	#5
TexasSeaRay Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 810	Agree about the ram prime tool. I have one, but only use it for whenever the DILLON PRIMING SYSTEM ON THE 550B would screw up and a shell needed to be primed individually. As far as the Lee Auto Prime handtool, I use it so that my fingers are doing the squeezing rather than just my thumb. Don't know anything about the Safety Prime setups--never have tried one. Priming seems to be the most nebulous part of reloading for most folks--myself included. I've used the RCBS hand-priming tool and found it to be no more advantageous than the Lee. My dad has the RCBS bench priming tool and it works well. If I can ever wear out or break my Lee hand-primer (I've had it for over 20 years now), I'll ship it to a landfill in Alaska and probably pick up an RCBS bench priming tool. But I'll always have a Lee hand-priming tool around. Jeff Last edited by Johnny Guest; June 26, 2008 at 09:08 PM. Reason: Remove antagonistic paragraph

June 20, 2008, 12:18 PM	#6
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	everything but Production ('cause they got them funny triggers) www.uspsa.org A33102 It is NEVER a 'brand' thing; it is a "quality tools" thing.

June 19, 2008, 10:14 PM	#2
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	I started out with the Lee autoprime handheld primer, and it works well, except that because the lever is thumb actuated, after a hundred or two rounds, my thumb gets numb. I switched to the RCBS Universal hand primer (the one with universal shell holder and square tray). The larger, square tray is much easier to load from factory primer packages. It also feeds from the corner, which seems to work better than the side of a round tray. The tray also slips out of the handle and lays flat on the bench for loading, and it has a sliding gate to close off the corner chute. And best of all, because it uses the whole hand to squeeze the handle, it is less tiring to use than the Lee. Andy

June 20, 2008, 05:12 PM	#7
Rampant_Colt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,478	The OP mentioned something about handling the primers individually--definitely sounds like he's doing something wrong ORLYMREVERYTHINGISTOUGHERINALASKA

June 20, 2008, 06:21 PM	#8
benzuncle Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 357	Back in 1971 I knew 2 females that bought Chevy Vegas and put 150,000 miles on'em with only routine maintenance. I bought one at the same time. I'm glad I bought the wagon; I kept my 10-speed Schwinn in it for when it broke down, which was monthly. When my warranty expired I got shed of it. My Lee equipment has worked just fine other than a few screw-ups that were operator related. I've found that the biggest problem with Lee is their instructions. But hell, they aren't alone in that category. The Safety Prime: there's only two camps concerning it - You like it or Hate it. Mine works just fine and I like the way the Classic Turret Press catches the spent primers. Some of the other brands use the floor to catch'em.

June 20, 2008, 08:45 PM	#10
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,171	Now find me RCBS problems Or even better...redding WildbustedpinsAlaska ™

June 20, 2008, 09:24 PM	#11
wild willy Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2006 Posts: 404	The worst press I ever used for spent primers on the floor is a lee turrent not the classic

June 21, 2008, 01:17 PM	#12
Thirties Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2001 Location: Where the Red Sox meet the Black Bears Posts: 561	Hornady Hand Priming Tool is excellent I love this tool: Hornady Hand Priming Tool http://www.grafs.com/product/188508 .

June 21, 2008, 03:14 PM	#13
38 Super Auto Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: In God we trust Posts: 32	It looks like Crusty hasn't consumed enuf of the blue kool-aid I had some issues with my 500B priming system after about 15 years of use. I called Dillon and they cheerfully sent me a complete new priming system with new large and small primer bars. I had to send in my old priming tower. I solved any remaining issues by polishing the alloy primer bars and steel insert with some 600 grit. I use a little mica regularly to keep things from getting sticky. One thing about the 500B priming system - due to proximity of primer bar to the resizing station, debris tends to build up around the primer bar. If you don't keep it clean, the primer bar freezes up. I take the primer tower down about every 800-100 rounds to clean it thoroughly. Other than that, I am cruising down the blue highway on cruise control.

June 21, 2008, 10:15 PM	#14
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	38 Super Auto I actually think Dillon makes a great press and if I needed to go progressive it would be between Dillon and Hornady. Like I said I loaded on a friends 550 and thought it was great. I just get a kick out of playing with the people that have probably never used a classic turret in their life but happen to think they know everything about it. They like to make it sound like Lee is garbage and a Dillon press has never had a problem. It's all good. Rusty

June 21, 2008, 11:18 PM	#15
Threefeathers Junior member Join Date: June 7, 2004 Location: AZ Posts: 392	I have primered thousands of rounds with the Lee Auto Prime, I keep an extra in the box in case I need it. I bought the extra in 1996. I have one set for rifle size primers one for pistol size primers, both were purchased the same time as the spare. I'll yell when I need to change them.

June 22, 2008, 05:07 AM	#17
fbrown333@suddenlink Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 240	I have one of the Lee hand primers and have never had a problem with it I like it due to the fact that I can feel the primer seat better than with the press. I had my press lever break on my lee press but they replaced it for free. I have had nothing but good luck with them and yes I have other presses, but still use my Lee more.

June 22, 2008, 07:10 AM	#18
gun44 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 125	I started reloading..... in 1974, and one of the first things I purchased was a lee priming tool. Worked great! A couple of weeks later I purchased another so I would not have to change out the small, or large rams. I still have both, and they both still work great, and I have primed thousands of cases with both! I may get the bench mounted RCBS tool and try it, as I am beginning to have some trouble with arthritis in my hands, and can't prime a large amount of cases at one session any more.

June 22, 2008, 12:50 PM	#20
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	I can't understand why some have to bash the lee equipment. If your tastes are more for the "fillet mignon" of loaders, then say so, let us commoners with our hamburger tastes enjoy our less expensive lee equipment. I own a large assortment of loaders from different manufactures. A lot of it, like 50% is lee. Why, because it just plain works! If it weren't for lee's prices, the big three would be charging so much, most couldn't afford the start-up costs. Try to find a Lyman, RCBS, dillon, forster, redding, or Hornady collet type neck sizer! You can't, they don't make one. Same goes for the FCD,(Final Crimp Die). Lee was the first to come out with a hand held primer. It had screw in shell holders and loaded one primer at a time. I'll find one of mine and take a picture, should add a little history to this forum. My first lee auto prime finally broke after many thousands of uses. The metal around the top cracked from the pressure of seating primers. The toggle was also worn to the point that the primer wasn't being seated to the bottom of the pocket. I didn't whine to lee for a replacement, I jut ordered two more so I wouldn't have to switch from large to small rams. I certainly got my money's worth out of it! If lee's auto prime is such a bad idea, then why has RCBS and Hornady copied it? And why do other precision hand held primer systems use the lee auto prime shell holders?!

June 23, 2008, 09:56 AM	#21
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	I'll add my experiences with the Lee priming: 20 years out of the Safety Prime 2-- this is the press mounted, round tray feeding, ram priming system. You can put a hundred or 150 primers in the round tray, shake it to get them all right side up, use a regular old shellholder (no priming specific shellholder) and you get a primed case with each pull of the press handle. I noticed after 18 years that while my large sized primers still fed perfectly and primed well, I would jam up occasionally with the small sized primers. I attributed this to the plastic gravity feed handler from the tray to the die and I searched the retailers for a replacement plastic piece. I couldn't find anyone selling one (I'm sure Lee would sell me one if I asked, but I didn't try) and finding the ENTIRE Lee Safety Prime 2 package for only $15, I simply ordered another complete kit. From that complete kit I use only the small sized primer feed and all the other parts wait in the event I ever need to use them. That's 18 years without a hiccup for a priming system that today sells for $15 from Midway. That's about the price of a set of shellholders only that fit the RCBC hand priming tool. (and not much more than a set of shellholders to fit the Lee hand priming system) And I love the precise feel of priming at the press on the up-stroke of the lever. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

June 23, 2008, 01:14 PM	#22
azredhawk44 Junior member Join Date: September 28, 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 6,465	I've broken the thumb lever on my Lee priming tool 3 times in the last 8 years. Each one seems to last about 2500 rounds or so. I tried the RCBS hand priming tool and hated it. Way too slow to change from small to large primers, rickety creaky feel to it. Hornady one looks interesting though. I may have to try it. I just got myself a Lee AutoPrime II, that mounts in my single stage RockChucker. Seems okay, but I don't like that I have to use a toothpick or other small stick to push the last couple primers into place on any given batch. AZRedhawkIbrokemyRCBSpressinhalfonce44

June 23, 2008, 08:28 PM	#24
38 Super Auto Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: In God we trust Posts: 32	I agree Crusty, Lee, Dillon, Hornady, RCBS, Lyman and others all have their price/performance point. I still use my 22 year old Lee auto prime, Rock Chucker, Ideal Measure, and reloading die from six different companies. I enjoy the time on my 550B and Star sizer. I gotta say, I really enjoy the Dillon new dimension dies, but I only get them when I can find em cheap and used. I think performance and customer service are keys for me.

June 23, 2008, 10:23 PM	#25
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	Sevens, I think that's the Auto Prime II you've been using for years. The new safety prime is the one that works with the tray held vertical, and it places a primer on the ram's priming arm for you. Changing over from small to large primers is the only thing I didn't like about the new RCBS Universal job (square tray). So I bought a second one to leave one set up for each. At least both the ones I have feel very solid and well put together. Andy